Hundreds sign petition to change the time of Didcot towers explosion

A PETITION to move the time of the demolition of three towers at Didcot Power Station has already gathered more than 700 signatures.

Christine Reardon, 44, of Meadow Way, Didcot, is gaining support from residents to move the demolition time from between 3am and 5am to 6am, so people can watch the landmark towers blown-up in a controlled explosion.

She launched the petition on Friday and by last night 839 people had joined her call.

Three of the towers, which have been in Didcot for more than 40 years, will be brought down on Sunday, July 27 Miss Reardon said: “There has been huge excitement in Didcot about the towers coming down. Everyone was expecting to see them, so for them to do it in the dark robs us of our chance to say a final goodbye.

“People are going to be watching regardless, this is the biggest thing in Didcot’s history.”

Didcot Mayor Scott Wilgrove said: “I understand peoples’ frustration. I have lived here my whole life and I would like to see them come down.”

Didcot and Wantage MP Ed Vaizey said: “The towers are much loved, and this will literally be a once in a lifetime opportunity to say farewell.

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“I have today written to RWE nPower to ask three things: first, to delay the demolition until at least 6am; second, to ensure an accurate time is given, so that people know exactly when to assemble; and third, to work with the local council to ensure that suitable viewing areas are designated for those that wish to watch the demolition, with appropriate traffic management.”

A spokesman for nPower said: “We have not plucked the time out of thin air. We have consulted with the local council, the Health and Safety Executive and the local police.

“This event is an engineering event and needs to be carried out with minimal disruption to the local infrastructure.”

He added while the company understood the concerns of residents, safety was its main priority and changing the time was unlikely.

Comments (6)

“This event is an engineering event and needs to be carried out with minimal disruption to the local infrastructure.”

No it's not, RWE, it's a local event of significant importance. Those of us who know nothing else except Didcot Power Station on the horizon for as long as we have been alive, wish to say goodbye to our trusty friend.

It might be just a big lump of concrete to some, but to me and many thousands of Oxfordshire residents, it is a landmark we will greatly miss.

RWE, save yourself a PR disaster and move the time to later in the morning.

“This event is an engineering event and needs to be carried out with minimal disruption to the local infrastructure.”
No it's not, RWE, it's a local event of significant importance. Those of us who know nothing else except Didcot Power Station on the horizon for as long as we have been alive, wish to say goodbye to our trusty friend.
It might be just a big lump of concrete to some, but to me and many thousands of Oxfordshire residents, it is a landmark we will greatly miss.
RWE, save yourself a PR disaster and move the time to later in the morning.EMBOX2

I appreciate minimal disruption etc. So for that, being an 'engineering event' you know the time to the second, you know the safe areas to the metre, if you know your engineering. Tell people. You are also missing the point raised above, I too don't remember the station not being there.

I appreciate minimal disruption etc. So for that, being an 'engineering event' you know the time to the second, you know the safe areas to the metre, if you know your engineering. Tell people. You are also missing the point raised above, I too don't remember the station not being there.Adrian1

So, are all you spectators going to stump up the cash to pay for the closure of the railway line at peak time whilst the tower is brought down ?

Or just going to chance a few bricks thro the 0930 paddington ?

So, are all you spectators going to stump up the cash to pay for the closure of the railway line at peak time whilst the tower is brought down ?
Or just going to chance a few bricks thro the 0930 paddington ?Anon Coward

Funny really, many objected to it in the first place, many have strongly criticized it since, more than a few have labelled it worse than a blot on the landscape, but now its going, most are mourning its demise. In between times it has enabled many to heat their homes, cook their meals, enabled them to watch TV, video, DVD's use computers, electric drills, hedge cutters, vacuum their homes, and so on. As the old song goes, "We've become accustomed to your face/towers" and many have benefited from good employment, sound financial security and the old girl has prospered many.
When the lights go out, we'll all be saying, "Wish you were here" still.

Funny really, many objected to it in the first place, many have strongly criticized it since, more than a few have labelled it worse than a blot on the landscape, but now its going, most are mourning its demise. In between times it has enabled many to heat their homes, cook their meals, enabled them to watch TV, video, DVD's use computers, electric drills, hedge cutters, vacuum their homes, and so on. As the old song goes, "We've become accustomed to your face/towers" and many have benefited from good employment, sound financial security and the old girl has prospered many.
When the lights go out, we'll all be saying, "Wish you were here" still.the wizard

Anon Coward wrote:
So, are all you spectators going to stump up the cash to pay for the closure of the railway line at peak time whilst the tower is brought down ? Or just going to chance a few bricks thro the 0930 paddington ?

Peak time on a Sunday morning???? Railtrack /networkrail or whatever they are called this week can disrupt the lives of village residents for months ( who will compensate them) I think 6 am on a Sunday is not unreasonable.
Also if it will only take a minute to pull just stop thetrain for a minute.
More likely they dont want to upset ASDA or Tesco with a road closure at 6am

It is probably a greater H&S risk blowing it at 3 with all the drunken spectators around.

IF it is blown at 3am I hope they have a "sit down" now that will cause a disruption

[quote][p][bold]Anon Coward[/bold] wrote:
So, are all you spectators going to stump up the cash to pay for the closure of the railway line at peak time whilst the tower is brought down ? Or just going to chance a few bricks thro the 0930 paddington ?[/p][/quote]Peak time on a Sunday morning???? Railtrack /networkrail or whatever they are called this week can disrupt the lives of village residents for months ( who will compensate them) I think 6 am on a Sunday is not unreasonable.
Also if it will only take a minute to pull just stop thetrain for a minute.
More likely they dont want to upset ASDA or Tesco with a road closure at 6am
It is probably a greater H&S risk blowing it at 3 with all the drunken spectators around.
IF it is blown at 3am I hope they have a "sit down" now that will cause a disruptionpaddy173